Friday, October 05, 2007 Generals' wives use C-130 to party here By Ben O. Tesiorna
WIVES of top ranking military officials in the country have been criticized for allegedly using the military plane C-130 for their trip in Davao City early this week.
But this was quickly denied by military officials based in Davao Region.
A soldier who requested anonymity said they were made to wait for more than an hour by the Air Force officials before they were allowed to board the plane as the wives of the generals were the ones given the priority over the lowly soldiers.
The generals' wives were reportedly here in the city Monday to launch the compact disc collection of soldiers who died in a clash in Basilan. But it was learned they just attended the birthday party of a businesswoman in the city.
The wives reportedly even wanted to use the naval ship on their way to Pearl Farm Resort in the Island Garden City of Samal. Naval officials however reportedly declined their request as their trip was not official.
On their way back to Manila Tuesday, the generals' wives again boarded C-130 and were again given the priority seats. The lowly soldiers were again made to wait for several minutes.
Tuesday evening, Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and his wife, Lorna, also threw a party in Camp Aguinaldo despite the red alert status.
Explaining the need for the show, Mrs. Esperon, a medical doctor, said the soldiers need a balance on the present situation they are in.
"This is part of the holistic approach. Hindi lang puro combat, balance ang pag-iisip," she said.
